Re: anti-Semitism or anti-Israel or both?

From: Samantha Atkins (samantha@objectent.com)
Date: Mon Apr 15 2002 - 02:25:31 MDT


Spudboy100@aol.com wrote:

> In a simple response, yes to both. The excuses always change, the real
> reason never does ;-) I note that the Euro-Left has now become the
> flag-carrier for Jew hatred (masked by the anti-Israel figleaf). As far
> as the attack in the Ukraine, as mentioned by the good, Professor, that
> seems to be traditional Jew hatred, and nothing more or less-probably on
> the skinhead model.

And yet there is ample reason to be royally ticked by Israel
about now that hasn't anything to do with anti-semitism.

>
> The daily attacks in France are mostly that of Islamic, North Africans
> (10% of France's pop). In the UK, it is Muslims that spearhead the
> protest, probably assisted by leftist, anti-globalists, and other
> commies, etc.
>

If I felt better physically at the moment and could stand to
walk for very long, I might be in a protest march against what
Israel is doing and the US lack of serious effort to stop it. I
wouldn't be chanting death to Israel and certainly not death to
the US though. There has been altogether too much death
already. Trotting out your favorite labels for everyone you
despise or fear or simply strong disagree with is not helpful.
Chanting for them to die is most definintely less helpful still.

> My point in response to the professor, is that excuses will always
> change and the real reason, never does. I am not sure that most of the
> people, especially the founders of this list will wish to see us focus
> on this subject, on this list (it could be the co-equal of gun ownership
> thread!).
>
> I will respond, a few times, to the expected responses, in disagreement
> to my position, however, I will not attempt to make a spirited defense,
> since that is not my principle reason for being present here. I am lousy
> at public relations and politics, and articulating such views. I do like
> Charles Krauthammer's views and tend to see him as one of the more
> insightful journalists (in my opinion).
>
> I will state (not that this matters much to most readers) that I am
> farther and farther right, since the initiation of Intifada˛ and I used
> to be a contibutor to Peace Now, for those who might care what that
> organization is or was.

I worry about anyone who still even thinks in terms of "right"
and "left" personally. The game has gone far beyond that.
Support for Israel is not about "right". Claiming those who
oppose support for Israel or at least think we should respond
strongly against what they are doing now, are anti-Jewish is not
about "right" either. Such positions of opposition to what is
now in Israel and between the US and Israel are also not "left"
and certainly not "anti-semetic".

When will the human species grow up enough to go beyond its
simplistic labels and endless disowning of one set of its
members or another. After a while it doesn't look like it is
important which side you agree or disagree with to what degree.
  What seems important to most people is having some group to
despise and to distinquish themselves by being other than.
Chanting "death to X" doesn't help. Despising those who protest
  the actions of X doesn't help. Either we can go beyond our
own prejudices and first perceptions and rethink what we think
we know all about or I don't see that much of anything will help
ever.

- samantha



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